Update #6

[lukevanoort]

Hmm, this puts us in a odd area of the rules (I won't say gray because it is very clear, I just think that the intent and letter of the rules are very different in our situation). Our launching mechanism has a few other functions which would pose no danger to test in the pit, but since it is the same mechanism we can't do that. Other than that, I can't complain about anything in it; all of the changes make sense.

[Matt H.]

Perhaps more interesting is the notice that the broken gear tooth sensors will be repaired and how to obtain such services.

[GaryVoshol]

Since a team at GLR (which shall remain nameless to protect the innocent) managed to launch Poof Balls directly at the inspection station, I think the "no launching" rule is a good one.

[Éowyn]

"Trackballs must be stored within the confines of the team's pit space"??

This should prove most interesting.

[David]

The storing trackballs in the pit area might prove challenging. our pit is only 120 by 120 inches (being generous), but the trackball is 40 inches in diameter, a full third of the length and width and a ninth of the total space. I would say store it overhead, but the height limit doesn't enough space to do that easily either.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by David

The storing trackballs in the pit area might prove challenging. our pit is only 120 by 120 inches (being generous), but the trackball is 40 inches in diameter, a full third of the length and width and a ninth of the total space. I would say store it overhead, but the height limit doesn't enough space to do that easily either.

Remember that pit height is limited to 10 ft. also. If you have a pit storage/display structure that uses all of the height allowed, you could hang a trackball in a net while it is not in use. There would be room for shorter team members to stand under it.

Hmm, might be better just to deflate trackballs that aren't being used.

[synth3tk]

Depending on space allocation for the regional space, there could be a central trackball storage area that teams could place their ball, provided the number or name was Sharpie'd onto it.

[thefro526]

Or just have a few community trackballs i.e. patched or damaged one not used on the field. I could see grabbing three or four that can't be used on the field to stash at the pit admin station and you could borrow them like you would reserve time on the field

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by blakcheez

Depending on space allocation for the regional space, there could be a central trackball storage area that teams could place their ball, provided the number or name was Sharpie'd onto it.

Our regional has 45 teams registered. By stacking trackballs three high, we could store all 45 balls in the space required for five teams' pits. But we don't have that space.

If our regional venue did have that much extra space, I'd have preferred to let five more teams register.

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Richard

Our regional has 45 teams registered. By stacking trackballs three high, we could store all 45 balls in the space required for five teams' pits. But we don't have that space.

If our regional venue did have that much extra space, I'd have preferred to let five more teams register.

How about in the stands? At the events I have been to (admittedly not many), there has always been a significant amount of space wasted by seating that is far away from the field. It may not be realistic for the 60+ team events, but I think you could store 45 trackballs in excess seating (of course that depends on the venue).

[Kevin Kolodziej]

Did I read that right? Bumpers are required for practice matches prior to being inspected? So my robot can practice and be in noncompliance with just about everything, but at least there will be no damage when it goes haywire and bumps into everything. I guess its not that big of a deal since we have to have them for any regular match anyway...but I'm still not a fan of mandatory bumpers.

Also, maybe I just missed it in the manual, but is this the first mention of a roster form? Not a big deal, just surprised to see it. A subtle reminder that we live in the world of today.

[Scott Carpman]

I like the community trackball idea. One trackball could be available for every 5 teams at the regional, and they can be all in one central storage area. The trackball storage could be right next to the designated practice zone for easy access.

[AustinSchuh]

Another way to do this would be to talk to the teams around you in the pit and then share 1 trackball among a couple of teams. FIRST would then not need to arrange this, but we could still benefit from the extra space. You could store it in between the pits so that it is not filling up one team's space, or move it around thought the day when someone needs the space and another team doesn't.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I have to say that the rule about practice area is what I had hoped for and expected. With the number of teams here on CD, expressing a desire to include a "launcher" in their design, I shuddered at the thought of these devices being tested in a pit with other folks close by. I expect that a future update will also include a mandatory demo of the launcher as part of the inspection process.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

I have to say that the rule about practice area is what I had hoped for and expected. With the number of teams here on CD, expressing a desire to include a "launcher" in their design, I shuddered at the thought of these devices being tested in a pit with other folks close by. I expect that a future update will also include a mandatory demo of the launcher as part of the inspection process.

I could see this happening. They tested the shooters 2 years ago, if you appeared to exceed the limit.